Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley and other government officials in discussion with Chinese Ambassador Yan Xiusheng (left) on the way forward for the National Stadium during a recent meeting at Ilaro Court. (Picture courtesy BGIS)

Barbados and China discuss plans for National Stadium

Article by sherrylynclarke@nationnews.com

The People’s Republic of China is still very committed to working with the Government of Barbados on redeveloping the National Stadium.

This was emphasised during a meeting at Ilaro Court last Wednesday, where Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, along with officials from the National Sports Council and other government entities, discussed ways to deliver the project in the shortest time frame with Chinese Ambassador Yan Xiusheng, and his delegation.

Mottley, stressing the need for a stadium by the next track season and before the 2024 Olympics in Paris, highlighted the country’s recent success on the world athletics stage.

She proposed that the construction be carried out in phases and suggested that in phase one, the athletics track, football field and three stands should be completed by January 2024 with the remaining work on the other stands in phase two, to be completed between April 2024 and January 2025.

“The reality is that we have to do it in phases…and because we value our relationship with China, we are prepared to sit down and make it happen. But I need you all to go and meet. If we provide the design and you provide the demolition, then we can see how quickly the stadium can be built and how we can work collaboratively to meet these deadlines,” Ms. Mottley stated.

Further acknowledging that Barbados needed to be able to participate in the Olympics in 2024, she said: “We need to be able to have our trials as we call them and then in April, May, we can resume.”

Ambassador Yan, noting that China would “do everything possible” to facilitate the first phase of the national stadium, said: “I can assure you that by January 2024, the first phase will be completed.” (BGIS)